SERM. XXIII. GRAVITY, DECENCY, &C. 387 ears, to give a fit of diversion, or to pass away a merry hour. We generally look upon this kind of people as very worthless things, as something beneath ourselves, and as sinking below their own species. We seldom converse with them upon the level, or to attain any of the nobler purposes of life. We only borrow their wit, or their folly, their humour, or their finery, for a season of amusement, and justly despise them when the laugh- ing hour is at an end. Reason itself tells us, that hu- man nature was made for something greater and better, for contemplation and action much superior to what these trifling creatures are acquainted with. Again, 2. If we consider man as he stands in distinction from childhood, surely a more grave and solemn carriage be- comes him. Children are pleased with painted toys; gaudy garments and sounding trifles are their chief de- light. They are entertained with little impertinences, agreeable to their ignorance and the weakness of their age: But it is a shame to a person of well grown years to practise the child for ever. He that devotes himself to a life of useless idleness, and treads round the circle of perpetual mirth and amusement, without profit to himself or the world, is but a child in longer garments, or an infant of larger size.' The third general head leads us to consider, what forcible arguments christianity furnishes us with to prac- tise this sobriety, gravity, and decency of behaviour : And I shall throw them all into a few expostulations. 1. Do we not bear the name ofChrist, a sacred and a venerable name ? And shall we cast disgrace upon it by any thing that is mean and dishonourable? Do we not profess to be the followers of a crucified Jesus, to be disciples of the cross ? But wherein do we follow him, if we spend our days inmirth and trifling ?. His conduct was all holy and heavenly, and we can never look like his disciples, if our conversation savour of earth and vanity. What a noble simplicity runs through all his speeches, through all the actions and the behaviour of our blessed Lord ! And how little do we imitate him, if we fondly pursue the gay follies of life in our dress, in our speech, and in every thing we do ! Noglarings of af- fected wit, nor insipid pertness, can add any thing to our character as christians. 2c2
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